Weft detecting mechanism for loom shuttles



Aug. 23, 1932. E. R. HOLMES 1,872,952

WEFT DETECTING MECHANISM FOR LOOM SHUTTLES Filed Jan. 18, 1932 7 Ba 1+ m l N 1 v wnv lnuentor" @lbridge R. Holmes.

Q1360 r-neqs I Patented Aug. 23, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT: OFFICE.

ELIBRIDGE R. HOLMES; on WORCESTER, A SACHUSETTS; nssrdivon To noMPToN & V

KNOWLES LOOM wonKS, or wononsrnn; MASSACHUSETTS, A conronn'rron on .7

MASSACHUSETTS WEFT DETECTING MECHANISM FOR room SnUTTLEs r i Application filed January 18, 1932a Serial No. 587,233.

This invention relates to weft detecting mechanism which is electrically operated and which is mounted in and movable with a'shuttle. Such detecting mechanisms have been heretofore manufactured, in which a detecting member was mounted in the shuttle spindle and was held in position'to prevent contact in an electric circuit so long as a sufficient supply of weft remained on the bobbin in the shuttle. When the Weft was substan tially exhausted, the detecting member was released, and moved to a position to complete the circuit and give a replenishing indication. V p

This prior mechanism has been found to be somewhat unreliable in closing the circuit after release by the detecting member, andfit is the general object of my present invention to provide improved contact-making devices for use in weft detecting mechanism of the general type above described, which devices are so designed as to be reliable and satisfactory for their intended purposes.

I further provide a construction in which 25 the contact members are distinct and separate from the detecting member. This permits non-conducting material to be used for the detecting member if so desired and has other distinct advantages.

My inventionrfurther relates to arrangements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Two forms of the invention are shown in the drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a sectional side elevation of a shut- Struction Fig. 2 is a plan view, looking in the direction of the arrow 2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the parts in a difierent position;

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional end elevation, taken along the line 44 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of certain Contact and terminal parts;

Fig. 6 is a partial sectional Side elevation of a shuttle embodying a second form of my invention, and

7 is a plan view, looking in the direction of the arrow 7 in Fig.6.

Referring particularly 'to'Figs. 1 to 5,1

have shown a shuttle S having a spindle 10 mounted to swingabout a .stud or screw 11 extending transversely through the shuttle f body. The spindle as shown herein is formed with the base portion in two parts, Spaced to provide a longitudinal recess 12 in which a r weft detecting member 13 is, mounted.

The member13 is also pivoted on the stud or screw 11 and may be provided with an insulating bushing 14,. unless the detecting member is formed of fibreor other non-conducting material.

An enlarged end portion 16 of the member 13 extends out through'a slot 18 in a bobbin B mounted on the spindle lOand engages the .inside ofthe weft W on the bobbin B.

A relatively heavy spring 20 is mounted in a'recess in the shuttle body and engages one for the other of two flat surfaces 21 and 22 on the pivoted end of the spindle 10. The spindle is, movable manually from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig 3, and will be held 'yieldingly in either position by the spring 20.

of the detecting member and normally engaging the under side of a contact plate 31,

pivoted on a cross stud 32 preferably fixed in a metallic casing 33 (Figs 2 and 3) A rubber cord or tension member 35 is secured at one end to the, contact plate 31 and at'th'e other end to a screw 36 by which the tension tle embodying one form of my improved con- 1 the Cord maybe'adlustdby wires 42 and 43 (Fig 5) to terminals 4H and d5, whichterminals are formed as rings or clamps secured" in spaced relation on an insulating bushing 46, supported by a crosspin or stud 47. The contact plate '31 overlies the terminals or rings A and 4:5 but is normally lifted therefrom by the lug 30 as shown the end 16 of'thedetecting member 13'1i1oves Contact plates 40 and 41 are mounted in one .siole face of the shuttle S and are connected outward through the slot 18 and the lug 30 moves downward, allowing the elastic cord '35 to move the contact plate 31 firmly into engagement with the terminal rings 44 and 45. The contact plate, being formed of con-- ducting material, completed the circuit be i tween the plates 41 and 42 which are mounted.

in the side of'the shuttle. vAn. indication of Weft exhaustion is thus given'fthrough elec (Fig. 2) to provide resi'lent tongues engagmg the terminals 44 and '45 respectively,

Eiiective contact with both of the terminals is thus insured. I i

In the construction showninlFigs. 6 and 7,

the terminal plate 41 is connected through the stud 11, casing 33 and'pivot-pin 5O to a contact plate 51, whilethe terminal plate is connected through 'awire 53 to a terminal stud 55, mounted in a plate '56 of rubber or other non-conducting material. The contact plate 51 is provided with a singleresilient tongue57 for engagement with the stud 55.

the circuit upon substantial exhaustion of Otherwise the construction is substantially as previously described, with the conducting member 13 holding the plate 51 away from the'stud55 when sufficient weft is present on the bobbin, and allowing the plate 51 to contact Withthe stud when the weft is substantially exhausted, as indicated in Figt.

Tension is supplied'by a rubber cord 60 hav ing an adjusting screw 61 as previously 'described." i

As the plate 51is grounded on the casing '33, it is not necessary in this case to form the detecting member 13 of non-conducting material or to insulate the member 13 from the stud 1'1. V

Both forms of my invention possess the advantage of simple and reliable construction and may be depended upon to eiiectively'close weft upon'the bobbin'in the shuttle.

Having thus described by invention and theadvantages thereof,.I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otheri -pha'nas set orth in the claims, but wh lclaimisz H '1. In a loom shuttle, a pivoted shuttle "spindle, a f detecting member mounted tom swing with said spindle andalso having limited swinging movement aboutthe axis of said spindle and relative to said spindle, a terminal fixed in said shuttle, a movable contact member engaging said terminal when said cord in said shuttle a in operative position and completing a circuit therethrough, and yielding means to move said contact member to operative position, said detecting member having a portion engaging said contact member-and-holding said contact member in lnoperative pos1t1on .so long as said detecting member is engaged by arsuflicient supplyof weft on the shuttle" spindle;

on the, bobbin 2.'The combination in aloom asset forthin claim 1, in which the detectinginiember swung upward to open the shuttle 3.[The combination-inaloom-as set forth in claim 1,-infwhich the detecting member 'hasa lug normally engaging the movable contact member, and intwhich said lug and detecting'membe'r are displaced in said spindle by said contactmember as the latter is movedyieldingly to circuit-closing position upon substantial; weft exhaustion.

"4. The combination in a loom as set forth vided and in which the contact member'is normally separated from both terminals by said detecting member but engages both ter minals upon substantial weft exhaustion;

5. The combination in a loom as set iorth in claim 1, in Whichtwo terminals are provided and in which the movable contact member is provided with resilient portions en'- gaging said 'two terminals upon indication of substantial weft exhaustion. I

6. The combination in a loom as set forth in claim 1, in which said contact member is mounted toswing in said shuttleyand in. which a yielding tension device is provided for said contact member, together with means i for-adjusting thetension thereof. 7 a

7 (The combination in -a loom as setforth in claim 1, in which said contact -meniber is mounted to swing in said shuttle, and in whicha rubber-cord is attached at one end to said contact member, and in which means is provided for securing the other end of the tension thereof.

In testimony whereof 'I' have hereunto signature. 4

d "for adjusting in claim 1,"in which twoterminals are-pro 

